Led by Werner Schorn Monday, June 6 Depart U.S. on individually arranged flights. Tuesday, June 7 Arrive Budapest Upon arrival in Budapest, transfer to the Marriott Hotel on the Danube River. To start our tour, early this afternoon we'll walk across the Chain Bridge and take the funicular up Castle Hill for great views of the city. This evening, get to know your fellow travelers and tour guide, Werner Schorn, over a welcome dinner. Overnight: Marriott Hotel, Budapest Wednesday, June 8 Budapest Tram Tour; Hungarian Railway Museum This morning we enjoy a tram tour of the city. Budapest's transportation system is convenient, well-organized and ever-expanding with buses, trams, metros and suburban trains. This afternoon we'll visit the Hungarian Railway Museum, an interactive park housing over 100 railway vehicles, as well as the nearby Museum of Transportation with its good collection of 1:5 scale locomotive models. Overnight: Marriott Hotel, Budapest Thursday, June 9 Excursion to Szentendre/Great Plains of Southern Hungary  Today you may choose between two excursions. The first is a cruise up the Danube to the artists' village of Szentendre. Here you can visit galleries, small shops and a well-known ceramics museum before cruising back to Budapest. Alternatively, travel by train to the Great Plains of Southern Hungary. Stop in the city of Kecskemét and visit the city center's five churches and old town hall. Continue to Bugacpuszta and have a typical Hungarian meal in this area known for its gastronomic specialties. Overnight: Marriott Hotel, Budapest Friday, June 10 Budapest to Bratislava Today we travel by train to Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. Take in the city's sights including the Cathedral, Primates' Palace and Castle on our afternoon tram tour. Overnight: Radisson SAS, Bratislava Saturday, June 11 Day at leisure in Bratislava Today is at your leisure in Bratislava. You may choose to visit the city's Museum of Transportation with Werner. Or explore the many beautiful churches, take in a museum or stroll through the pedestrian-only Old Town. If you prefer to take a day trip outside of the city, Werner can help with these plans. One suggestion: the nearby Strasshoff Railway Museum in Austria. Overnight: Radisson SAS, Bratislava Sunday, June 12 Bratislava to Prague; Prague Tram Museum Admire the countryside of Slovakia and the Czech Republic today as we travel southwest to Prague, one of Europe's most beautiful cities, by first-class EuroCity train. This afternoon, we enjoy a walking tour of the city. Overnight: Hotel Ambassador Zlata Husa, Prague Monday, June 13 Prague tram tour Our tram tour will feature Prague Castle and views of Charles Bridge and other historic and beautiful landmarks of this ancient city. This afternoon, visit the Prague Tram Museum and Technical Museum. The evening is at your leisure. Overnight: Hotel Ambassador Zlata Husa, Prague Tuesday, June 14  Railfan trip to the mountains of Northern Bohemia Today we offer "the ultimate rail trip for real railfans" as described by our tour leader. Take a combination of trains east to the border of Poland and back, enjoying the spectacular scenery of the mountains and rural towns along the way. We'll ride a total of eight trains by our return to Prague. Werner will lead this tour. An optional alternative: a day-long excursion^ to the beautiful spa town of Karlovy Vary, founded in 1350 by Charles IV, the Roman Emperor. Enjoy a guided tour of the town and lunch at the Grand Hotel Pupp. There will be plenty of time for shopping and poking around this beautiful town before returning to Prague. An English-speaking guide will lead this excursion. Overnight: Hotel Ambassador Zlata Husa, Prague Wednesday, June 15 Prague to Krakow A different route east of Prague will take us to Krakow, medieval capital of Poland. We will enjoy much of the day on a comfortable EuroCity train as we travel through the countryside. Krakow is one of the few cities spared total devastation during World War II; the centuries-old architecture is a delight. City highlights and rail interests abound here. The Polish State Railways has a vast network; Krakow is the major junction for the whole of Europe, and international trains call here daily, along with hourly trains from Warsaw. Overnight: Radisson SAS, Krakow Thursday, June 16 Krakow tour Enjoy a city tour this morning, including Old Town, Wawel Cathedral and the Royal Castle. Spend the afternoon at your leisure exploring this fascinating city. Overnight: Radisson SAS, Krakow Friday, June 17 Krakow to Warsaw Today we travel by InterCity train to Warsaw, capital city of Poland for four centuries. Bombed to rubble in World War II, its old quarter has been miraculously restored. Sites to see here are the Royal Castle, Old Town Market Square, St. John's Cathedral, Lazienki Park and the Chopin Monument and the Wilanow Palace, dubbed "The Versailles of Poland." Enjoy a tour of the city this afternoon. Overnight: Holiday Inn, Warsaw Saturday, June 18 Day at leisure in Warsaw Today is at your leisure to explore Warsaw in depth or to travel outside of the city. In Warsaw are two museums of note: Marie Curie's Birthplace/Museum and the Museum of Independence, showing the struggle for freedom until the fall of Communism in 1989. Werner can help you make arrangements for the day. Overnight: Holiday Inn, Warsaw Sunday, June 19 Railway Museum of Poland Visit the Railway Museum of Poland together this morning. Later, we visit the Frederic Chopin birthplace and enjoy a summer concert. Our farewell dinner will be together at a local restaurant. Overnight: Holiday Inn, Warsaw Monday, June 20 Tour ends Tour ends after breakfast this morning at the hotel. Tour rates: $4,245 per person, double occupancy $1,075 single supplement Karlovy Vary option (June 14): $135 p.p. *Rates include meals and excursions as noted in the itinerary. Rates do not include airfare or railpass.  Railpass options The minimum pass required is a 6-day European East Flexipass. The dates you will be using your pass with the group are: June 9, 10, 12, 14, 15 and 17. If you wish to use your pass any other day (days at leisure, travel on your own, etc.), you will need to purchase additional rail days. Please see pricing below: European East Flexipass (first class): Includes: Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland Good for travel 5 days in any one-month period: $230 Additional rail days: $28 per day 6 days: $258 9 days: $342 7 days: $286 10 days: $370 8 days: $314 The maximum number of travel days allowed with this pass is 10 days. You may wish to add a Czech or Hungarian Flexipass if you require more than 10 days (prices available upon request). Note the Eurailpass is not valid in Czech Republic, Slovakia or Poland. Included in the cost of this tour: ˇ Accommodation in the hotels as mentioned in the program including breakfast, service charge, taxes and porterage in & out ˇ Lunches and dinners as mentioned in the program (welcome and farewell dinners include wine and coffee) ˇ Transportation cards for Budapest, Prague and Warsaw ˇ Tram tours in Budapest, Bratislava and Prague with expert guide ˇ Entrance fees to sights and museums listed in itinerary ˇ Supplements (when necessary) and seat reservations on first-class trains wherever possible ˇ Separate luggage transportation: Budapest-Bratislava; Bratislava-Prague; Prague-Krakow; Krakow-Warsaw ˇ Group coach transfers where necessary ˇ Services of full-time tour guide, Werner Schorn ˇ Gratuities for all included services, except that of your tour leader, which is optional and at your discretion Not included in the tour cost: Airfare; railpass; costs of obtaining passports; meals not listed in the itinerary; Karlovy Vary optional excursion; other optional sightseeing unless specified; any expenses of a personal nature, including all forms of travel insurance, laundry service, all alcoholic beverages and all personal beverages other than those included at group meals. Gratuities for tour leader. Click here for tour terms and conditions. The Society of International Railway Travelers 1810 Sils Ave., Louisville, KY 40205 800-478-4881 or 502-454-0277

Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-478-4881
www.irtsociety.com

Future Tours Past Tours Back to Home Page

2005 Society Tours

Send us e-mail with comments or questions